Insights into exercise-induced rhinitis based on nasal aerodynamics induced by airway morphology

Background

Exercise-induced rhinitis (EIR) is a poorly understood phenomenon that may be related to increased inspiratory airflow. Characterization of the development of EIR is important to understand contributing factors.

Objective

To characterize how different nasal morphologies respond to airflow-related variables during rapid/deep inspiratory conditions.

Methods

Subject-specific nasal airways were reconstructed from radiographic images. Unilateral airways were classified as Standard, Notched, or Elongated accord to their distinct nasal vestibule morphology. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed at various airflow rates.

Results

For all simulated flow rates, average resistance at the nasal vestibule, airflow velocity and wall sheer stress were highest in Notched. Average mucosal heat flux was highest in Standard. Notched phenotypes showed lower mean percent increases from 10 L/min to 50 L/min in all computed variables.

Conclusion

Resistance values and airflow velocities depicted a more constricted nasal vestibule in the Notched phenotypes, while perception of nasal mucosal cooling (heat flux) favored the Standard phenotypes. Different nasal phenotypes may predispose to EIR.